Monday 15 February
Depart from your preferred UK airport on an overnight flight to Madurai, travelling via Chennai or Bengaluru.
Tuesday 16 February
Arrive in Madurai for a private transfer, immediate hotel check-in and a guided introduction to the magnificent Meenakshi Temple. (B, D)
Wednesday 17 February
Travel by rail from Madurai to Bodinayakkanur, India’s cardamom capital, then return privately to Madurai after time to explore. (B, D)
Thursday 18 February
Take the service train to Rameswaram, crossing the legendary Pamban Bridge, followed by a private visit to the revered Ramanathaswamy Temple. (B, D)
Friday 19 February
Dedicated photography time on the Pamban line, then continue by afternoon train to Tiruchirappalli, with dinner arranged on board. (B, D)
Saturday 20 February
Visit Trichy’s Rock Fort, then continue to the Golden Rock Workshops and an exclusive Diesel Driver Simulator session. Please note: both visits are subject to permission by the competent Railway authority. (B, D)
Sunday 21 February
Follow the coastal line to Karaikal, then enjoy time by the beach before a private onward transfer to Nagapattinam. (B, D)
Monday 22 February
THE PALK STRAIT — FOUR HOURS BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
Private transfer to Nagapattinam Port for the restored four-hour ferry across the Palk Strait to Jaffna, then on to your beach resort. (B, D)
Tuesday 23 February
Board Sri Lanka Railways in the far north for a tailored journey south to Anuradhapura, introducing the island’s historic Northern Line. (B, D)
Wednesday 24 February
Travel via Kandy to Nanu Oya, ascending into the misted tea country and your hill resort in Nuwara Eliya. (B, D)
Thursday 25 February
A slower day in Nuwara Eliya, with time to enjoy the highland setting and a private, unhurried visit to a tea estate. (B, D)
Friday 26 February
Ride the blue hill-country train from Nanu Oya through tea estates, valleys and escarpments to Ella, pausing for the Nine Arch Bridge before continuing to Badulla. (B, D)
Saturday 27 February
Privately visit Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then continue to Pinnawala for the elephants’ bathing ritual and a focused railway stop at Rambukkana. Rambukkana marks the start of the island’s steepest sustained railway climb: the celebrated 1-in-44 ascent to Kadugannawa through nine tunnels. (B, D)
Sunday 28 February
Travel by local service to Kadugannawa for a curated visit to the National Rail Museum, then continue by afternoon train to Colombo Fort. (B, D)
Monday 1 March
Visit Ratmalana Railway Workshop, a 56-acre site where colonial-era steam hammers, presses and cranes still work, with highlights including Garratt No. 347, D2 No. 21 and J1 No. 220. Please note: the Ratmalana visit is subject to permission from Sri Lanka Railways HQ.
Later, pause at a colonial oceanfront hotel before a concise private introduction to Colombo’s key landmarks, including Independence Memorial Hall, Pettah, the Khan Clock Tower and the Red Mosque. (B, D)
Tuesday 2 March
After breakfast, transfer privately to Colombo’s international terminal for your afternoon direct flight to the UK, arriving the same evening.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION
GALLE - BY THE SEA
Tuesday 2 March
Travel the coastal line from Colombo Fort to Galle, arriving by the Indian Ocean in time to explore the UNESCO-listed fort and its ramparts. (B, D)
Wednesday 3 March
A day at leisure by the sea, with time to enjoy the coast, the fort’s boutiques and cafés, or simply the quiet rhythm of the Indian Ocean. (B, D)
Thursday 4 March
Enjoy a final unhurried day on the coast before a private evening transfer to Colombo airport for your overnight flight to the UK.
Late check-out is at the hotel’s discretion; a guaranteed late check-out is chargeable and can be arranged.
Please let us know if you would like us to extend further your stay at Galle.
Sixteen-night escorted tour 15 February to 2 March with the optional extra of the Galle extension
What’s included
On a daily basis, meals provided are shown with the following key: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
What’s not included
Prices
from £4,260 per person
Twin-share basis · Single supplement from £995
SPEAK WITH US:
[email protected]
Depart from your preferred UK airport on an overnight flight to Madurai, travelling via Chennai or Bengaluru.
Tuesday 16 February
Arrive in Madurai for a private transfer, immediate hotel check-in and a guided introduction to the magnificent Meenakshi Temple. (B, D)
Wednesday 17 February
Travel by rail from Madurai to Bodinayakkanur, India’s cardamom capital, then return privately to Madurai after time to explore. (B, D)
Thursday 18 February
Take the service train to Rameswaram, crossing the legendary Pamban Bridge, followed by a private visit to the revered Ramanathaswamy Temple. (B, D)
Friday 19 February
Dedicated photography time on the Pamban line, then continue by afternoon train to Tiruchirappalli, with dinner arranged on board. (B, D)
Saturday 20 February
Visit Trichy’s Rock Fort, then continue to the Golden Rock Workshops and an exclusive Diesel Driver Simulator session. Please note: both visits are subject to permission by the competent Railway authority. (B, D)
Sunday 21 February
Follow the coastal line to Karaikal, then enjoy time by the beach before a private onward transfer to Nagapattinam. (B, D)
Monday 22 February
THE PALK STRAIT — FOUR HOURS BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
Private transfer to Nagapattinam Port for the restored four-hour ferry across the Palk Strait to Jaffna, then on to your beach resort. (B, D)
Tuesday 23 February
Board Sri Lanka Railways in the far north for a tailored journey south to Anuradhapura, introducing the island’s historic Northern Line. (B, D)
Wednesday 24 February
Travel via Kandy to Nanu Oya, ascending into the misted tea country and your hill resort in Nuwara Eliya. (B, D)
Thursday 25 February
A slower day in Nuwara Eliya, with time to enjoy the highland setting and a private, unhurried visit to a tea estate. (B, D)
Friday 26 February
Ride the blue hill-country train from Nanu Oya through tea estates, valleys and escarpments to Ella, pausing for the Nine Arch Bridge before continuing to Badulla. (B, D)
Saturday 27 February
Privately visit Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then continue to Pinnawala for the elephants’ bathing ritual and a focused railway stop at Rambukkana. Rambukkana marks the start of the island’s steepest sustained railway climb: the celebrated 1-in-44 ascent to Kadugannawa through nine tunnels. (B, D)
Sunday 28 February
Travel by local service to Kadugannawa for a curated visit to the National Rail Museum, then continue by afternoon train to Colombo Fort. (B, D)
Monday 1 March
Visit Ratmalana Railway Workshop, a 56-acre site where colonial-era steam hammers, presses and cranes still work, with highlights including Garratt No. 347, D2 No. 21 and J1 No. 220. Please note: the Ratmalana visit is subject to permission from Sri Lanka Railways HQ.
Later, pause at a colonial oceanfront hotel before a concise private introduction to Colombo’s key landmarks, including Independence Memorial Hall, Pettah, the Khan Clock Tower and the Red Mosque. (B, D)
Tuesday 2 March
After breakfast, transfer privately to Colombo’s international terminal for your afternoon direct flight to the UK, arriving the same evening.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION
GALLE - BY THE SEA
Tuesday 2 March
Travel the coastal line from Colombo Fort to Galle, arriving by the Indian Ocean in time to explore the UNESCO-listed fort and its ramparts. (B, D)
Wednesday 3 March
A day at leisure by the sea, with time to enjoy the coast, the fort’s boutiques and cafés, or simply the quiet rhythm of the Indian Ocean. (B, D)
Thursday 4 March
Enjoy a final unhurried day on the coast before a private evening transfer to Colombo airport for your overnight flight to the UK.
Late check-out is at the hotel’s discretion; a guaranteed late check-out is chargeable and can be arranged.
Please let us know if you would like us to extend further your stay at Galle.
Sixteen-night escorted tour 15 February to 2 March with the optional extra of the Galle extension
What’s included
- Boutique hotel accommodation
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Rail travel in India and Sri Lanka
- The Nagapattinam–Jaffna ferry crossing
- Private transfers and ground transport
- Darjeeling Tours manager throughout
On a daily basis, meals provided are shown with the following key: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
What’s not included
- International/domestic flights
- Visas for India and Sri Lanka
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and drinks
- Gratuities and personal expenses
Prices
from £4,260 per person
Twin-share basis · Single supplement from £995
SPEAK WITH US:
[email protected]
